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Scientific Ways of Knowing – 3-5
Students realize that the current body of scientific knowledge must be based on evidence, be predictive, logical, subject to modification and limited to the natural world. This includes demonstrating an understanding that scientific knowledge grows and advances as new evidence is discovered to support or modify existing theories, as well as to encourage the development of new theories. Students are able to reflect on ethical scientific practices and demonstrate an understanding of how the current body of scientific knowledge reflects the historical and cultural contributions of women and men who provide us with a more reliable and comprehensive understanding of the natural world.
3 / 4 / 5 / BENCHMARK / KEY IDEA / PERFORMANCE / When / Freq.1. Differentiate fact from opinion and explain that scientists do not rely on claims or conclusions unless they are backed by observations that can be confirmed. / 1. Summarize how conclusions and ideas change as new knowledge is gained. / A. Distinguish between fact and opinion and explain how ideas and conclusions change as new background is gained. / § Facts = evidence
§ Opinions = personal / § Compare facts and opinions, find an example where new knowledge changes old ideas.
1. Describe different kinds of investigations that scientists use depending on the questions they are trying to answer. / 3. Explain discrepancies in an investigation using evidence to support findings. / 2. Develop descriptions, explanations and models using evidence to defend/support findings.
3. Explain why an experiment must be repeated by different people or at different times or places and yield consistent results before the results are accepted.
4. Identify how scientists use different kinds of ongoing investigations depending on the questions they are trying to answer (e.g., observations of things or events in nature, data collection and controlled experiments). / B. Describe different types of investigations and use results and data from investigations to provide the evidence to support explanations and conclusions. / § Investigative skills
§ Analyze results/data / § Describe an investigation and explain results using evidence, models, charts.
3 / 4 / 5 / BENCHMARK / KEY IDEA / PERFORMANCE / When / Freq.
2. Keep records of investigations and observations and do not change the records that are different from someone else’s work. / 2. Record the results and data from an investigation and make a reasonable explanation.
4. Explain why keeping records of observations and investigation is important. / 5. Keep records of investigations and observations that / C. Explain the importance of keeping records of observations and investigations that are accurate and understandable. / § Accurate records / § Maintain accurate information during an investigation.
3. Explore through stories how men and women have contributed to the development of science.
4. Identify various careers in science.
5. Discuss how both men and women find science rewarding as a career and in their everyday lives. / 6. Identify a variety of scientific and technological work that people of all ages, backgrounds and groups perform. / D. Explain that mean and women of diverse countries and cultures participate in careers in all fields of science. / § Scientists are multi-functional and have many career options. / § Understand/explore careers in science.
Produced by the Greene County ESC 2008